The invention relates to a controlling of micromechanical elements. Especially the invention relates to the controlling of the micromechanical switches. According to a method for controlling at least one micromechanical element a first control signal and a second control signal are fed to the micromechanical element. The second control signal is arranged to set the micromechanical element to an active state and the first control signal is arranged to hold the micromechanical element in the active state. An arrangement for controlling at least one micromechanical element (402) contains at least means for generating at least a first control signal and a second control signal, means for raising a voltage level of at least the second control signal and means for feeding the first control signal and the second control signal with raised voltage level to the micromechanical element. By means of the invention lower voltage levels can be used in micromechanical applications.

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein mikromechanisches Relais mit verbesserten Schalteigenschaften, bei dem der Kontaktbügel zur Überbrückung eines Schaltkontaktes beabstandet vom freien Ende eines einseitig eingespannten, mikromechanischen, beweglichen Biegebalkenelementes an diesem angeordnet ist. Beidseitig des Kontaktbügels sind am beweglichen Element Steuerelektroden vorgesehen, die in Zusammenwirkung mit gegenüberliegenden Steuerelektroden am Substrat sowie entsprechenden Steuersignalen das Öffnen und Schließen des Kontaktes bewirken.

Sowohl durch die beidseitige Anordnung der Steuerelektrodengebiete als auch die erweiterten und beispielsweise getrennten Ansteuerungsmöglichkeiten der Steuerelektroden beidseitig des Kontaktbügels bzw. der entsprechenden Steuerelektroden am Substrat lässt sich ein verbessertes Schaltverhalten erzielen.

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein mikromechanisches Relais mit verbesserten Schalteigenschaften, bei dem der Kontaktbügel zur Überbrückung eines Schaltkontaktes beabstandet vom freien Ende eines einseitig eingespannten, mikromechanischen, beweglichen Biegebalkenelementes an diesem angeordnet ist. Beidseitig des Kontaktbügels sind am beweglichen Element Steuerelektroden vorgesehen, die in Zusammenwirkung mit gegenüberliegenden Steuerelektroden am Substrat sowie entsprechenden Steuersignalen das Öffnen und Schließen des Kontaktes bewirken.

Sowohl durch die beidseitige Anordnung der Steuerelektrodengebiete als auch die erweiterten und beispielsweise getrennten Ansteuerungsmöglichkeiten der Steuerelektroden beidseitig des Kontaktbügels bzw. der entsprechenden Steuerelektroden am Substrat lässt sich ein verbessertes Schaltverhalten erzielen.

The invention relates to a controlling of micromechanical elements. Especially the invention relates to the controlling of the micromechanical switches. According to a method for controlling at least one micromechanical element a first control signal and a second control signal are fed to the micromechanical element. The second control signal is arranged to set the micromechanical element to an active state and the first control signal is arranged to hold the micromechanical element in the active state. An arrangement for controlling at least one micromechanical element (402) contains at least means for generating at least a first control signal and a second control signal, means for raising a voltage level of at least the second control signal and means for feeding the first control signal and the second control signal with raised voltage level to the micromechanical element. By means of the invention lower voltage levels can be used in micromechanical applications.

A micro electromechanical device comprising a first and a second conductor, the first conductor defining a plane and the second conductor having a collapsible portion extending at a predetermined distance above said plane and above the first conductor, said collapsible portion during use of the device being attracted by the first conductor as a result of an RF induced force, the orthogonal projection of said collapsible portion onto said plane defining a principal actuation area, said collapsible portion being movable between a distant position further from the principal actuation area to a proximate position closer to the principal actuation area, the movement of the collapsible portion being actuatable by applying an attraction force in said principal actuation area, said collapsible portion showing a variable actuation liability in longitudinal direction with a region of maximum actuation liability where the attraction force to be applied for actuation is a minimum over the whole principal actuation area, the first conductor being laterally offset from said region of maximum actuation liability by a predetermined distance, so that actuation of the collapsible portion by means of the first conductor requires a higher attraction force than said minimum.

A vibration type MEMS switch and a method of fabricating the vibration type MEMS switch. The vibration type MEMS switch includes a vibrating body supplied with an alternating current voltage of a predetermined frequency to vibrate in a predetermined direction; and a stationary contact point spaced apart from the vibrating body along a vibration direction of the vibrating body. When a direct current voltage with a predetermined magnitude is applied to the stationary contact point, a vibration margin of the vibrating body is increased, the vibrating body contacts the stationary contact point and the vibration type MEMS switch is turned on. A first substrate is bonded to a second substrate to isolate the vibrating body in a sealed vacuum space. The vibration type MEMS switch is turned on and/off by a resonance.

A vibration type MEMS switch and a method of fabricating the vibration type MEMS switch. The vibration type MEMS switch includes a vibrating body supplied with an alternating current voltage of a predetermined frequency to vibrate in a predetermined direction; and a stationary contact point spaced apart from the vibrating body along a vibration direction of the vibrating body. When a direct current voltage with a predetermined magnitude is applied to the stationary contact point, a vibration margin of the vibrating body is increased, the vibrating body contacts the stationary contact point and the vibration type MEMS switch is turned on. A first substrate is bonded to a second substrate to isolate the vibrating body in a sealed vacuum space. The vibration type MEMS switch is turned on and/off by a resonance.

Signal lines (5a, 5b) formed on a fixed substrate 1 are arranged on the same straight line. A movable substrate (2) is elastically supported on the fixed substrate (1) through beam portions (11) provided at two positions which are point-symmetrical with each other with a movable contact (16) centered thereon. At least portions opposing the signal lines (5a, 5b) are removed from the movable substrate (2). The movable contact (16) is elastically supported at two points that are orthogonal to the straight line on which the signal lines (5a, 5b) are arranged and do not face the signal lines (5a, 5b). A pair of protrusions 17 are formed at positions at which after closing the contacts, if a voltage were applied between the fixed electrode 4 and the movable electrode 12 without the protrusion, the fixed substrate 1 and the movable substrate 2 would contact each other following the contact between the fixed contact 7 and the movable contact 16, in a point-symmetrical manner with the movable contact 16 centered thereon. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide an electrostatic micro-relay which has a simple and small-size structure that is easily manufactured at low costs, and is superior in high-frequency characteristics with a suitable contact release force.

Signal lines (5a, 5b) formed on a fixed substrate 1 are arranged on the same straight line. A movable substrate (2) is elastically supported on the fixed substrate (1) through beam portions (11) provided at two positions which are point-symmetrical with each other with a movable contact (16) centered thereon. At least portions opposing the signal lines (5a, 5b) are removed from the movable substrate (2). The movable contact (16) is elastically supported at two points that are orthogonal to the straight line on which the signal lines (5a, 5b) are arranged and do not face the signal lines (5a, 5b). A pair of protrusions 17 are formed at positions at which after closing the contacts, if a voltage were applied between the fixed electrode 4 and the movable electrode 12 without the protrusion, the fixed substrate 1 and the movable substrate 2 would contact each other following the contact between the fixed contact 7 and the movable contact 16, in a point-symmetrical manner with the movable contact 16 centered thereon. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide an electrostatic micro-relay which has a simple and small-size structure that is easily manufactured at low costs, and is superior in high-frequency characteristics with a suitable contact release force.